Spirit of Kamalaya

A couple of days after my cleansing program ended at The Spa Chiang Mai I flew directly to Koh Samui to make it in time for the Healing Forum during the Mala Festival.  The Healing Forum was held at Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa, who just won six 2009 Readers’ Choice Awards, including the Crystal Award for Favorite Spa in Asia.  I stayed at this “wellness paradise” the night before the forum and was able to experience some of what they have to offer the day of the forum.  They get my vote for best spa but it’s hard to even call Kamalaya a “spa”, they are so much more.  Kamalaya is a very special and sacred place.  This is the spot for those looking to reconnect with themselves holistically and in luxury.

When I landed in Koh Samui I knew there was something different in the air and felt my soul’s desire to stay.  Thailand is at the top in the world for wellness travel, and Samui is where to go for healing.  My wellness guidebook received a more narrow focus upon arrival.  I decided to stay awhile, research and discover all of the healing services on Samui. Samui Healing was born to provide the information to help people decide which program is best for what they are looking for.  The Healing Forum turned out to be very synchronistic for me since the main topic of discussion was the need to have all of the wellness resources on the island in one place, through an online wellness directory. This project lives in my heart and is something that I tried to do almost 2 years ago in the US, called wherewellness.com.  I’m not sure if I will end up helping them with that project but I know there is a need for an online, printed and personal healing guide.

joining together at the mala

I’ve spent over 2 weeks now researching and experiencing most of the cleansing programs on Samui.  Kamalaya may be the favorite but it’s not the best choice for people looking for a fasting program or raw food. That’s why I am passionate to help lay it out to make it easy so that each person can decide which is the right choice for him or her.  We all know what is good for us; we just need all of the information in order to make the best decision.  So far, I’ve researched over 10 different cleansing programs and still have a few more to visit before the end of the month.  Already I’ve  helped a few people in passing and I am excited to see what develops.

simple & powerful green smoothies

In addition to the various cleansing programs on the island, Samui is also home to many individual practitioners/healers to help support everyone’s overall well being.  The one that has impacted my life the most is inspirational Jennifer Thompson with Healthy Bliss.  She gave me my first crystal reading, which accurately showed me where I was with my chakras and what was happening in my life. It confirmed what I needed to do to be more in balance, which I am still working on.  The Green Smoothie Gathering she held last week was the best thing (for me) that I’ve experienced so far in Samui.  I’ve know and experienced the power of eating raw foods over the last 2 years but had not learned about the power of green smoothies until now. I’ve been struggling with how to eat a raw organic diet like I did in Atlanta since I arrived to Thailand a few months ago.  It was great to discover The Spa’s Radiance Restaurant, which is the only one on Samui (and one of the few and best in Thailand) that prepares raw meals.  When deciding on which part of Samui I wanted to live, my only criterion was to be in walking distance of The Spa for the raw food.  After awhile though, as with anything, I was looking for variety and a way to eat at home to save money.

gotu cola smoothie = happiness

Jennifer’s green smoothie class was just what I was looking for and more! Here is an excerpt from Jennifer’s handout: “Green leave are the only food source in the world that can transfer sunshine into energy.  They do this by creating chlorophyll.”  Chlorophyll is the edible energy from the sun.  Using a blender is not only fast and easy but it is powerful because it breaks the greens down so that our bodies can absorb all of the minerals and valuable nutrition they contain and we crave.  What about juicing?  Well juicing is good if you are fasting (to give your body a break from digesting to eliminate toxins) but when you juice you strip the fiber and antioxidants from the produce.  Jennifer’s passion and knowledge inspired me to immediately buy a blender, cutting board, knife, smoothie container, and fresh produce.  I’ve had 2 smoothies a day ever since and each time they are delicious and different.  This morning I blended an apple, fresh ginger, lime, cup of water, kale, romaine, parsley, banana, ground flax seed and bee pollen.  All of the produce I bought yesterday when I rode my bike to the street market for under $2.  I am a full blow green smoothie addict and I love it!  I feel so inspired and vibrant.

sunset at silver beach

My life here is simple and ideal.  I wake up and walk to the most beautiful beach in my backyard to do yoga, meditate and swim at sunrise. I come back to my room to chop some produce I bought at the street market the day before and blend it up.  After I drink up the vibrant energy, I wash the blender, knife and cutting board all in my shower.  I realize I don’t need much to be happy and actually not having much makes me happy.  Live raw, live simple, and be happy.

After I finish my research at the end of the month I’m planning on living with the monks at a temple on the south end of the island.  I’m learning to sit with all of the ideas I have swimming around in my head and take the time to watch them develop.  Sitting in quiet meditation with no distractions is something I’ve been craving for a year.  My spirit blossoms when I’m at the temple and I’ll be able to teach the monks English while at the same time learn Thai and actually practice Buddhism.

morning meditation

Yesterday I wrote a testimonial for Julia Griffin with One True Self and I came to realize that exactly a year ago I started to manifest my life that I am living now.  Here’s what I wrote:

Julia is a very gifted intuitive and has helped me manifest my dreams that I am living right now.  I first started to work with Julia in Oct 2008 and participated in her manifestation ecourse. It was exactly a year ago and I was going through a painful process of losing everything I owned. Out of survival, I started to wait tables and feel depressed. Julia helped me stay focused on my vision and dream that lived in my heart.  She leads powerful live group meditations each week that she records and provides in mp3 format to listen to on your own. During these meditations I could see and feel myself living in Thailand on the beach while working on my mission to inspire and empower others.  I’m writing this right now from my balcony in Koh Samui, Thailand on the beach while I research and write about all of the healing programs on Samui.  I get daily message from people around the world thanking me for my inspiration. My heart bursts with joy and gratitude for Julia and my life that I’ve created.

This morning, as I was walking down the beach, I remembered seeing the same beach image in my manifestation exercises with Julia.  I remembered the joy that I felt in the picture that I am now feeling in my whole being.  Dreams do come true when you listen to your heart.

feeling the joy

What I contribute that has helped me really be able to listen to, and live from, my heart is the OneDream course that I completed in January 2009.  I also just wrote a testimonial for the School of Humanity and Awareness at CIK this same week that I am ending this post with.  I am filled with gratitude and love with this reflection.

I am forever grateful for finding the School of Humanity and Awareness at CIK.  I started with The Inner Knowing Course 4 years ago, which awakened something deep inside me that craved to know more about myself.  Since then I submerged myself into everything they offer (except the singles course, and yes, I’m still single :) Each course helped me open up to really know and listen to myself.  It is impossible to say which course was my favorite.  They all were in so many ways; building upon and complimenting each other.  How my life was before the SOHA and how I am now seems like a different lifetime.  I believe OneDream impacted me the most. It has really opened me up to trust and listen to my heart’s desire.  Some of the changes I’ve experience since starting OneDream are: quitting my 10-year corporate sales job, creating a business for myself to help others, release things that no longer serve me (including all of my material possessions) move to and thrive in Thailand.  I am so different then how I was before the SOHA  and now so me. I am living my life fully!

spend time in nature

Today’s unique date symbolizes the truth.  Your truth is found by listening to your intuition, gut feeling or inner voice.  We all are intuitive, we just have to develop our ability to tap into it and listen.  Intuition comes from our heart and right brain function.  Below are ways to find your own answers and guidance.

9 Ways to Develop Your Intuition Using Your Right Brain

1. Be alone in silence – Each day make time for yourself and sit in silence.  Even if it’s driving home in the car with the radio off.  The less external distraction, the better we can listen internally
2. Deep breathing – Your breath is the most important thing in your life; you can’t live without it!  Deep, conscious breathing calms and relaxes your mind and body.  It is always available when you need it, especially when feeling stressed or anxious, so remember to use it.
3. Clear your mind – Write your thoughts and feelings down on paper. This allows for a deeper understanding, a clearer picture and a clearer mind.  Try this: write a question down before you sleep and when you wake start writing to see what comes out. Other great ways to clear your mind are Yoga, Tai-chi and Qigong.
   

   clear your mind

4. Meditate – You can use the above steps to prepare yourself for meditation by relaxing into your breath and clearing your mind.  If you are new to meditation, sit with your spine straight and focus on your breathing and the sensations in your body.  When thoughts arise, watch them float by without attaching to them.
5. Spend time in nature – Connect with Mother Nature alone without your iPod, allow your creativity and joy to flow.
   

   let your creativity flow

6. Create and use your senses – Your right brain engages when you use your 5 senses.  Do what you enjoy: cook, draw, dance, sing, and listen to music.
7. Listen to your body and trust yourself – If something doesn’t feel right to you or if you feel a pain in your body around a situation or person, pay attention because your body doesn’t lie.
8. Drink water throughout the day – Dehydration not only contributes to illness but it can fog up your brain.  Water helps you stay clear.
9. Write down synchronicities – These “coincidences” are signs to draw meaning from.  Trust yourself to know what these signs mean to you; use your intuition.

(Ban Phe, Thailand. Monday, August 24, 2009)

Exclusive for The Atlanta Journal Constitution, by Tim Torkildson

FORMER ATLANTA BUSINESS WOMAN FINDS NEW CAREER AND HOME IN THAILAND

Happiness in Thailand

Elicia Woodford grew up in the Syracuse area, attending Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary School and Bishop Ludden High School, where she excelled in sports. Her parents, Ray and Linda Woodford, still reside in the Syracuse area; they both have sales jobs and Elicia’s dad, Ray, is noted for building and racing road bikes. Elicia has one brother, Chad, who now lives in San Francisco.

After graduating from Bishop Ludden in 1992 Elicia went to Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York, where she graduated with a degree in marketing. Wanting to challenge herself by moving to a place where she had no friends, family, or job prospects, just to see what would happen, she went to Atlanta, Georgia, in 1996, and spent several years there with ADP.  She says she has always considered Atlanta her second home.

With the advent of social media like Twitter and Facebook, Elicia started her own business, calling it ePowerMe. She successfully worked to improve business’ online presence with social media. But she felt an extraordinary pull, “my soul’s desire” she calls it, to move to Thailand. She felt that she could improve her business, and her life, by learning how to teach and communicate with other languages. This led her to sign up for the four-week TEFL International course in Ban Phe, Thailand. TEFL International is a non-profit organization that specializes in certifying native English speakers to teach abroad.

Ms Woodford plans to travel a bit after graduating at the end of August, with a stint in India to further her yoga studies, and then return to Thailand as a wellness mentor. She says “I feel at home in Thailand because it brings out my inner nature. My passion is health and wellness. Thailand is a relaxed and joyful place; I get a feeling of peace and calm here. The fresh fruit is utterly fantastic and the Thai method of massage is unbeatable and so affordable!”

For more information on TEFL International, visit their website at www.tefllife.com

#####################################################

Contact Tim Torkildson at torkil49@live.com

Toll-free phone: 866-384-8852

Contact Elicia Woodford at elicia@ePowerMe.com

Phone: +66 085 952 4734

1st night

Perceptions are not real, find and know your truth!

It’s always good to ask people about places and things but to take it as it is: their perception and experience, not yours.  I’ve learned to approach other people’s opinions and even my own with a question mark and not a period. If I listened to others, I wouldn’t have stayed in Bangkok.  If I listened to my first impression then I wouldn’t have stayed either.

My view of Bangkok after the first day was very limited and I felt unsure about staying there.  I did like the small boutique hotel and friendly staff so I decided to go ahead and book the next 5 nights while they had rooms available. I end up staying in 4 different themed rooms and loved the experience.  I thought at least I didn’t have to deal with my luggage and I could always stay in the room and read.  I observed these feelings and thoughts and noticed the tendency to feel safe.

last night

The mind’s need to feel safe is deceptive and keeps you and your world small.  Moving forward with that feeling will help you grow and experience joy.

I went out to walk the streets, explored and found a whole new perspective of Bangkok.  The uncomfortable feeling I had was just the unknowing.  My first day I walked down one street which was crazy busy and polluted.  I noticed that 1 out of 5 Thais were wearing disposable mouth protectors and I assumed that it was because of the pollution. Once I explored my surrounding neighborhood (and how to cross the street going up the stairs across the pedestrian bridge) I felt empowered and was able to tune into more things around me.  I also found out later by talking to someone that the Thais wore the mouth protectors because they were concern about getting the Swine Flu, not because of the pollution. My Kundalini Yoga practice each morning helped me tremendously while adjusting to all of the newness. I trained my mind to slow down and take things slow without any set plans or “have tos”. I decided that I would do one thing (on my mental wish list) each day and to trust my intuition as I made decisions. Taking deep breaths throughout each day also helped me presence myself.

As my confidence built I explored more and my perspective of Bangkok shifted. I loved taking the Skytrain and walking around.  I didn’t feel uncomfortable at all and now I had a sense of excitement and love for the city. Being very present and aware allowed me to be in the flow, this is when everything just falls into place. I would stumble upon exactly what I was looking for everyday. My next blog will have the details of the treatments and I experienced and how I found them. On my third day I got to know the map a little better and noticed a large park a block away from where I was staying.  The first couple of days I turned left onto Silom to walk to Health Land Spa and to the BTS Skytrain.  This morning I turned right instead of left and found my favorite discovery, Lumpini Park!

favorite discovery

After the first day I could have left in search of pleasure but staying and moving in the uncomfortable lead me to the pleasure that was all around me, just one turn away.  I am remembering this lesson right now as I begin my TEFL course in Ban Phe, Thailand.  It been a lifetime ago since I utilized my left-brain to study and I’m observing my desire to do other things that I know I love instead.  I also don’t think I’ve ever sat in at a desk in a chair for 8 hours a day for a month!  I’m embracing the uncomfortable to see what I find.

way to live

Trust yourself to find your truth – explore your thoughts alone.
The week I spent in Bangkok I found myself alone, without any distractions, for the first time in my life.  Canceling my cell phone plan broke my iPhone addiction and the many distractions that came along with it: checking and responding to my email, Facebook, text messages, and phone calls.  Shut off from all communication except the Internet (on my time and only when I’m back at the hotel) I am alone with my thoughts.  When I was outside walking around the city I couldn’t understand the signs or conversations. I also didn’t know anyone or meet anyone to hangout with and talk to, which was a nice change.  I had been craving this silence and solitude for a long time.  Being truly alone helped me sit and observe my thoughts and feelings.  I had the opportunity to pause before reacting, question, and reflect on things.  A week of “active meditation” helped me find my truth, at least about Bangkok.  Find solitude to sit, observe and question your thoughts to know your truth and it will set your mind free.

The Thai culture is pleasant and brings out my true nature.

free wellness in the park!

What I love most about the Thai culture is that wellness is their way of life.  Visiting Lumpini Park from 5-7am was my favorite discovery of Bangkok.  It was filled with Thais of all ages, with the majority middle age and elderly, working out in the “playground”.  They know the importance of tai chi, yoga, meditating, massage and stretching.  The sidewalks are lined with vendors selling fresh, local real food that people buy on their way to and from work.  They even sit and with regular social gatherings bonding on the street and in the park. The Thais radiate an overall feeling of happy and relaxed.

delicious new discovery

One morning I discovered a new delicious fruit over breakfast called Ramutan, or Ngow in Thai. I was told that it’s only in season this month in Thailand.  One of the many things I love about the Thai culture is that they eat local and in season, not much processed food if at all. All of the cheap food is local.  Anything that they have to import is priced like we would pay in the States.  Even though that makes sense, it’s not like that in the States because the government subsidized the corn, wheat, soy, dairy and meat industries.  Those also take up most of our farmland and pollute our environment and bodies with chemicals. With the government subsidies Americans can eat cheap junk “food”, get sick and take medicine that cause disease. So then the doctors keep their jobs and the industries continue to make money.  My dream would be for the US government to instead subsidize organic vegetable farms and wellness services.  Since I’ve been in Thailand I haven’t seen any obesity, felt any anger or depression and that has everything to do with their lifestyle.

Thai massage "medicine"

As I move through each day, things are peaceful and pleasant.  I find myself reaching for the Bangkok Post and feeling good as I read the entire thing.  The front-page headline yesterday was “Crossing At Their Own Risk”, the top news story was about the police cracking down on jaywalkers and threatening to fine them 200 Baht ($6) for not using the pedestrian bridge or zebra crossing.   Even though the city is heavily populated like NYC, there is calmness about it.  I’ve noticed that I haven’t heard even one police or ambulance siren. Another difference are the homeless people.  They really can’t work and are amputees with missing limbs or are burn victims. My heart goes out to them and makes me want to give as they ask in prayer. There doesn’t seem to be any violence or craziness.

calm, relaxed and in line for the train

Thai people are peaceful, healthy, happy and polite.  Taking the Skytrain (BTS) is even pleasant because people are calm and relaxed. They even form lines where indicated while waiting for the train.  The Thais look you in the eye and smile.  They are light-hearted people who make life fun and easy. They joke and laugh about things that might be embarrassing or frustrating to Americans.  When I slipped down the staircase at my hotel they commented about how I like to make a grand entrance and laughed instead of worrying.  Laughter and joking around was apart of all of my treatments that made me feel more connected with my heart to the other person.  The masseuse, my first day at Health Land Spa, pretended to gently massage my new goddess tattoo and giggled which made me giggle and enjoy her even more. They bow in sweet prayer when they say thank you (korb kun ka), and they thank you after any purchase including the 7-11.  I love the culture and way of life here and it brings out my true nature that is calm, relaxed, peaceful and filled with joy!

detox, yoga/pilates, spa and raw food

My soul was craving this trip and now I know why.  Since I’ve been living from and listening to my heart I make decisions and know why after.  I felt a very strong calling to Thailand for many years and decided to release everything I own and move there.  The two questions I was most often was asked by others were; “Why Thailand?” and “How long will you be there?”  My answers were always “I’ve felt a strong desire to be there” and “I don’t know”. This was not a trip that I heard of or researched about, it came from my soul.  The soul’s desire cannot be understood until that desire if fulfilled.  This is the difference when making decisions from the heart and not the mind.  The second question is interesting.  When I moved to Atlanta, Ft. Lauderdale, back to Atlanta, up to NYC, back to Atlanta, over to San Francisco and back to Atlanta not once did I get anyone ask me “For how long will you live there?”  It’s probably because anything foreign, even concepts, to most people make them scared and they have a need to know the future.

Planning and thinking in the future is very limiting and blocks the flow and pleasure of life.

About the eCourse
The
next Prosperity E-Class Group starts on Thursday, January 29th at 8 pm
EST. In this class, you will learn about Universal Laws regarding
Prosperity and their applications. We meditate deeply as a group, to
create energy, magnetism and intent to create financial prosperity. The
class includes one monthly lesson for study, one hour teleconference
call with a brief Q&A session and an audio stream of the class. (You
can listen and study at your leisure – it’s your choice as to whether or not you are present
on the actual teleconference.)

Through visualizations, meditations and the
lessons provided in this Prosperity E-Class, you will gain the insights
and repetition needed to create positive
change – very quickly. You will learn how to access the "Field" to
create abundance in your life and to focus your mind and emotions to
create a more prosperous reality.

In this monthly call, you learn time-tested techniques to improve your level of abundance – In a matter of days or weeks.

The Prosperity E-course will meet on Thursday, January 29 at 8:00 pm. Cost is $33.
You
may sign up for one or several sessions. If you choose the 6-month
alternative, you pay only for five sessions. The sixth is free. Your
first teleconference session will take place on the last Thursday of
the month in which you enroll. For more information, go here: http://ancient-echo.com/homepage.htm

In just one week I turned my whole reality around. I manifested the money I needed to get me out of a financial bind with my mortgage and car payments.  I received a credit, a free beach vacation, and three income opportunities.  In addition, I feel upbeat and positive about my current situation and what’s to come. 

Manifest Lessons:

• Focus on what you want
• Ask for what you need
• Envision and feel an abundant reality
• Pay attention to signs
• Take action; follow up and receive support when offered
• Express gratitude
• Write down signs and the things moving you forward towards your vision
• Be clear with your health, beliefs and words
• Raise your frequency to attract positive people and results
• Whatever you say, think and believe is true…you have the power to think differently about anything
• Helpless and stuck is a victim ego structure that can be overcome
• The answers come in silence, nurturing and reflection
• Know your power of choice
• You are the creator